Posey takes lead at catcher in All-Star balloting

Posey takes lead at catcher in All-Star balloting

SAN FRANCISCO -- If this were an election for political office, commentators would say that voters from the Giants precincts have spoken.

Several Giants surged in the latest National League All-Star vote totals released Tuesday, most notably Buster Posey, who leapfrogged St. Louis' Yadier Molina to take the lead in the balloting for catcher.

Posey grabbed a slender edge over Molina, 1,713,839 to 1,576,199. Posey entered Tuesday leading the Giants in home runs and RBIs.

At third base, Pablo Sandoval remained a strong contender behind New York's David Wright, who tops that position with 1,358,992 votes. Sandoval stood in second place with 1,103,650 votes.

Melky Cabrera drew closer to the top three in the outfielders' race, occupying the fourth spot with 1,357,461 votes. Los Angeles' Matt Kemp, St. Louis' Carlos Beltran and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun remained ahead of Cabrera.

Giants center fielder Angel Pagan appeared among the leading outfield vote-getters, prompting 722,820 backers. Brandon Belt made his initial appearance among the top five at first base, moving into the fourth spot with 563,708 votes.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via your mobile device -- using the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, June 28, at 8:59 p.m. PT.

Fans can also once again participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby. The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 9.

The 2012 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 1, on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2012 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, July 10. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and Sirius XM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/asg.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.